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Faribault County board closes meeting under Minnesota statute to discuss CD52 litigation potential
Summary
The Faribault County Board invoked Minn. Stat. §13D.05, subd. 3(b) to hold an attorney‑client privileged closed session July 7, 2026, to discuss potential pending litigation over County Ditch #52 improvement project claims and later reconvened to act on counsel’s recommendations.
At 8:04 a.m. on July 7, 2026, the Faribault County Board voted to close the County Ditch #52 meeting for attorney‑client privileged information under Minnesota law. The motion was recorded as "Groskreutz/Paschke motion carried unanimously to close the County Ditch #52 meeting for attorneyclient privileged information under Minn. Stat. §13D.05, subd. 3(b)."
Attorney Justin Short, participating virtually, later gave a brief public statement after the closed session, saying that the session had provided attorney‑client privileged information regarding potential pending litigation concerning the County Ditch #52 Improvement Project claims. The meeting was reopened at 8:21 a.m., and the board then moved forward with approving a demand letter and authorizing potential legal action.
The statute cited, Minn. Stat. §13D.05, subd. 3(b), permits a public body to close a meeting to receive attorney‑client privileged information about pending litigation. The board’s minutes record the statutory citation as the basis for the closed session but do not disclose the confidential details discussed during the closed portion.
